Details on Merriman Avenue Shooting Syracuse Police Sgt. Thomas Connellan speaks Monday afternoon about a shooting that took place in the 100 block of Merriman Avenue. A man in his 20s was injured and was in extremely critical condition. Police are asking that anyone with information call 442-5222. Video by Charley Hannagan.

Syracuse, NY – Police continue to investigate the shootings of two cousins, one of whom died, during separate incidents Sunday and Monday in Syracuse.

Pierre L. Hackett, 23, of 117 Lydell Ave., was shot while walking with two children and another man at about 11:45 a.m. Monday on the 100 block of Merriman Avenue, police said. He died hours later at Upstate University Hospital.

Multiple shots were fired, police said.

“We believe this was not random and at least one of the males was targeted,” Sgt. Tom Connellan said. He declined to identify the people who were with Hackett when he was shot or where they were going, saying it was part of the investigation.

Connellan asked that people with information call police at 442-5222.

“It happened in broad daylight. We’re confident that there are people out there that saw something or have some information,” Connellan said.

Victim Critical After Westside ShootingSyracuse Police investigate a shooting on the 100 block of Merriman Avenue near Kellogg Street that happened shortly before noon on Monday. An extremely critical victim was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Hackett was the cousin of Leroy Hackett, 31, also of Syracuse, who arrived at Upstate around 5:15 p.m. Sunday with a gunshot wound to his arm and hand, Connellan said. Leroy Hackett told police he was shot on South Avenue near West Brighton Avenue.

Police are trying to determine whether the shootings were related, Connellan said.

Mike Greenlar / The Post-StandardSyracuse police investigate a shooting on Merriman Avenue near Kellogg Street. Rural/Metro transported to University Hospital a man who police describe as "extremely critical."